Angus Pastor- District Ten male
I did not like the way Cyrene and Andromeda were looking at me. Why were they looking at me? I wasn't their competition. Well, I was, but not much. I'd been thinking about going in a bit to grab some of the bags, but they were making me think better of it. I'd just run for the cattails while they were getting weapons.
When the Games began, I jumped into the water. I hit bottom when it was waist-high and sank in a few extra inches. I started wading toward the cattails as fast as I could.
Cyrene and Andromeda followed me.
I had an advantage with my longer legs trying to run through water, but they were fast. Cyrene flanked around me and I was caught between them when Andromeda came up behind me. I'd never expected such flawless teamwork from Careers. Cyrene, as the taller one, came at me and shoved me back off-balance so I fell toward Andromeda, who climbed on top of me. I was already floundering under the water's surface and they could have easily drowned me with their combined weight, but they didn't want to wait that long. Cyrene held down my body so I was struggling to reach the surface and Andromeda braced herself behind my head and crossed her arms across my neck. She leaned back and twisted until my neck radiated strain and agony. I thought of Will watching and was glad Andromeda and Cyrene blocked the view. There was a clean pop and it didn't hurt anymore.
Harper Newman- District Twelve female
Kill them kill them all.
Aicalzaara said it didn't matter which one. Any one, as long as I was killing. I ran toward the golden horn-shaped thing filled with weapons. I wanted the spear. It was the longest, so I could kill people the farthest away. Close or far I didn't care, but it was easier to reach far away with the spear.
I reached the platform and clambered on after a few false starts when it dipped under my weight. Another boy had grabbed the spear so I took a long knife instead. It slid along the platform and fit perfectly into my hand.
I went to jump off the platform and felt a burning scrape in my side. I hit the water face-first and clawed at the water to right myself. The water was red around me when I surfaced. I looked at my side and saw the gaping wound seconds before my legs folded and I slid back underwater. I grabbed at the raft to pull my head out of the water and tried to flop back onto it, but I couldn't lift myself out. I l stayed there, my head lying on the raft, and I seemed to be getting colder.
What do I do?
But there was no answer. There were no voices in my head at all. It was very peaceful. It must be what it's like for Mom and Uncle Kennard. It was wonderful to close my eyes and rest.
Aurelia Jackson- District Five female
The water was up to my waist as I splashed toward the cattails. They were taller than I was. They would hide me and let me slip away until the Careers dispersed. I hadn't grabbed anything. None of the supplies would be any good to me, because I would have to die to get any of them. I would just have to learn to go without.
I heard someone screaming as I ran. He would scream, then get cut off suddenly, then scream again. They're drowning someone, I thought. What a cruel way to kill someone. How do you look someone in the eye for minutes on end as they struggle for their lives? A spear or an axe is done in a flash. Drowning is personal.
I have one advantage, I thought as I ran. No one needs to come after me. I wasn't top priority for anyone. I wasn't strong like Rigel or Tony. I was just a little girl running away. They could come for me later, whenever they wanted, or they could let the Arena swallow me up.
My arm parted the cattails as I reached the ring. Their roots brushed against my legs like ghostly fingers. The first row of cattails bent back into position behind me, drawing a curtain between me and the Cornucopia. And as they did, I felt the sting in the back of my head. I was gone before my face hit the water.
Fryderyk Zielinski- District Eight male
There was no choice for me. I would be lucky if I even made to any of the supplies. My only chance was to run, and even then, I was at the mercy of the Careers. If they targeted others, I would live. If any of them came for me, I would die.
The water tugged at my legs as I tried to run. Churning brown foam swirled around me, stirred up by my movements. I hoped desperately there weren't alligators near the Cornucopia, because there certainly were alligators somewhere. I tasted mud in my mouth from the water droplets flying up around me.
Halfway to the cattails, I had to stop. I bent forward and concentrated on taking deep breaths and puffing as I exhaled to get the most oxygen from every breath. I straightened back up and saw at once the most beautiful and most frightful scene of my life. Far in the distance, I saw Cerise diving off the Cornucopia and under the water carrying a hunting knife and a tiny bag. And between her and me, closer by far to me, I saw Medusa running at me with a sword.
I wish I had something poetic to think, I thought for my last moments. But I couldn't have come up with anything more sublime than my onetime love and forever friend slipping under the water, her hair shining in the light, one life holding on while mine was guttering out.
Joy Wincenty- District Twelve male
Camille and I ran toward each other as soon as the Games started. We met between our platforms and looked around for our other allies.
"There!" Camille pointed. I followed her arm and saw Cerise disappearing under the water just off the Cornucopia. Ryx was in that section of platforms as well. Camille and I charted a course skirting around the platorms, picking up supplies as we went.
I bent over and picked up a pair of socks in a plastic bag. As I straightened, a shadow fell across my back. I turned around just as Cyrene, who had jumped off a platform, hit me. Her weight easily knocked me underwater. Her fist closed on my hair and I thrashed in blind panic, expecting her to drown me. Instead, she hauled me up like a fish. I saw Camille behind her, watching in horror and obviously about to try to help. I shook my head at her. There was nothing for her to do but die with me.
Cyrene leaned against the platform to brace herself. She yanked my head back against her breastbone and brought up her other hand. She dragged the blade of a survival knife against my throat so hard it ground against bone. She dropped me back into the water and turned back to the Bloodbath without a second glance.
I clung to the platform as I bled out. I dimly saw Camille's tear-streaked face as she turned and ran after our allies.
I didn't regret it, not really. I'd know I would almost certainly die when I took Jay's place. It was worth it to me. I'd rather die than someone else. I never regretted it, not to the end.
Tony Gear- District Six male
Arthur and I were running full-tilt toward Siobhan when he took Sagar's javelin in the leg. It could have been far worse, but as it stood, we needed to get out now. It wouldn't do any good if I lost Arthur and Siobhan trying to get to Siobhan. I had to get Arthur out and hope they found their way after us.
Quick as a lick I scooped Arthur up piggyback. I handed him the javelin he'd yanked out before I could tell him not to. He clamped one hand over the wound and held the javelin in the other. I glanced over my shoulder as I ran and was rewarded with the sight of Sagar standing in the Cornucopia with a bemused expression.
Sagar Dewpont- District Two male
Well shit.
Rigel Aspen- District Seven male
I vaulted off the platform and landed hard, bending forward until my hands hit the muddy bottom. As expected, Alsace bolted to the Cornucopia, grabbed a sword and came after me. I had a head start and I was pretty quick, but he had years of hatred powering him. He started to gain on me.
I threw a handful of mud at his face.
Alsace reeled back, pawing at the thick mud covering his eyes and face. I took the time to grab another handful. As soon as he started to close the distance between us, I threw another handful. He roared unintelligibly in rage and slapped the surface of the water as he cleared the mud.
Just as I reached the cattails, I threw another handful of mud. As soon as it hit I dove underwater. I swam as far into the cattails as I could before I surfaced. I couldn't see Alsace anywhere, but I heard his livid bellowing. He was going to be pissed if he ever found me, so I was going to make sure he never did.
Siobhan Hearse- District Six female
I saw Tony and Arthur running at me and then gasped when Arthur was speared. Tony shot me a glance as he picked Arthur up and started running. I ran after them, away from the sounds of murder and death. As I ran, I scooped up a bag. I didn't look to see what was in it.
I passed between two platforms. I was out of the Bloodbath then. It was just the cattails ahead of me. I'd meet back up with Tony and Arthur and we'd start working on Arthur. Maybe my bag had some medical stuff in it. Cattails are edible, right? So we had water and food. We had a chance.
There was a sudden wrenching pressure on my hair. I cranked my head around and saw Andromeda grabbing it. She jerked her entire body sideways as she yanked me with all her strength at the platform. My head cracked against the metal edge and stars flashed in my vision. I dazedly pushed at Andromeda's arms, but she was far stronger. She braced her elbow against the platform and threw me into it again with both arms. Everything cut to black after an image of my family flashed in my mind.
24th place: Angus Pastor- Neck broken by Andromeda
There was no reason Angus died first. I just picked the Bloodbaths and the order is largely random. Angus was the one the Careers targeted so he went first. I liked Angus, like most of us, but I needed to kill people so I killed him. Thanks Finnick18 for a last-minute Tribute more popular than a lot of the older ones.
23rd place: Harper Newman- Javelin thrown by Sagar
Harper was a villain which I usually need, but this time for once I got Careers willing to kill. I didn't need a murderer Tribute so I killed Harper, since she's pretty low-functioning and lacks self-preservation skills. I always have empathy for mentally ill Tributes, no matter how violent, so I felt for Harper and was more gentle than many writers would have been. Thanks llJamesll for one of my more memorable Tributes.
22nd place: Aurelia Jackson- Knife thrown by Percy
I know it was obvious but at this point me actually killing the cute ones is more shocking than me not. I couldn't keep Arthur, Siobhan and Aurelia, so I picked my pick. Aurelia didn't belong here and never had a proper chance. Here's another thing for Erwin to be heartbroken about. Thanks santiago for continuing his legacy.
21st place: Fryderyk Zielinski- Stabbed by Medusa
In this Arena you just plain can't have exercise-related breathing problems. Fryderyk was a lover, not a fighter, and would have had little chance in any Games. He had so much in him an SYOT wasn't enough. But he gave me a chance to flex my poetic writing and everyone loved his romantic light. Thanks Pi for half of an unforgettable pair.
20th place: Joy Wincenty- Throat cut by Cyrene
Same story: I needed someone to die. Joy was a great kid and deserved so much better, but that's the kind of person that dies in the Games. He gave his life for someone. There's no greater love. Thanks Santiago for a wonderful human being.
19th place: Siobhan Hearse- Left to drown by Andromeda
I finally did it. I keep saying I'll kill the spunky young one and never do. This time, I'm finally going to try it. It's driving me nuts because I love the cute spunky ones, but sometimes you have to challenge yourself. Siobhan was bright and lively and it feels like I just switched off a light in the Arena. I'll see where it takes me. Thanks foxfox12 for a realistic and vibrant young person.
